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US Update: iPad 2, LG LZ7900 3D LED, MSI WindPad
MSI to unveil five laptop series at CES 2011
Windows Phone 7 Marketplace dethrones Palm’s App Catalog
Samsung Wave landing Bada 1.2 update early 2011
LG LZ7900: world’s largest full LED 3D TV
Apple prepping three versions of iPad 2?
Your new iPad: five things you never knew
Ultimate gadget hacks 2010

US Update: iPad 2, LG LZ7900 3D LED, MSI WindPad

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 07:00 PM PST

The pre-CES 2011 announcements are in full force and we've got plenty of goodies to unveil this morning. Starting with the latest rumors of the iPad 2, we work our way into the LG LZ700, the world's largest full LED 3D TV. We update you on the Samsung Wave, head over to the latest Windows Phone 7 app numbers and wrap it up with MSI's five new laptop series. Here's your US Update.

Early next year when Apple releases the iPad 2, there will be not one, but three varieties to choose from — a WiFi, UMTS and CDMA version. According to DigiTimes, Apple will produce roughly 40 million iPad 2s in 2011, will you be one of the lucky owners?

LG has made the LG LZ7900 official. Better known as the world's largest full LED 3D TV, the LZ7900 packs TruMotion 400Hz technology, LG's Smart TV functions and just about every other feature you can think of. We're ready to experience the world of 3D with this bad boy at CES.

Unlocked European Samsung Wave owners are in for a treat early next year. Samsung has confirmed the Bada 1.2 firmware will be rolled out first to users in Europe using unlocked models, followed by other countries and carriers in the first quarter of 2011.

Windows Phone 7 now offers more than 5,000 apps to choose from according to the latest app data. That number means that in less than two months, WP7 has managed to surpass the Palm App Catalog. Based on the current rate, the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace could offer more apps than RIM's App World within six months.

Last in this morning is a massive announcement from MSI. They've unveiled their entire laptop/tablet line up for CES 2011, complete with four laptop series and one tablet series. Whether you are looking for speed, performance, multimedia or portability, MSI has you covered. They've even taken care of Android users with the WindPad 100A.

That wraps up things this fine morning from the states. Thanks for spending your morning with us as we break the headlines fresh off the press from our side of the world. Until tomorrow, this is Nick saying over and out.

MSI to unveil five laptop series at CES 2011

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 06:00 PM PST

For MSI, CES 2011 will be the stomping grounds where they showcase five new laptop series. Whether you are looking for the world's fastest G series, the performance F series, multimedia C series, mobility U or X series or the WindPad, MSI has you covered for 2011.

Kicking off the show will be the G series gaming laptops; the 17.3 inch GT720 and the 15.6 inch GT680 and GE620. Equipped with high performance discrete graphics, MSI's Turbo technology and accelerated dual solid state drive (RAID 0) architecture, these laptops earn the title of world's fastest. Other highlights to the series include 720p HD webcams, THX TruStudio Pro cinema-grade sound, 16:9 ratio LED displays and USB 3.0 support.

Next up, the performance F series. Powered by Intel Core processors, the F series use DDR3 memory, 500GB hard drives, 720P HD webcams and support both USB 3.0 and HDMI 1.4. In the spirit of performance, the inclusion of USB 3.0 means you can copy a full Blu-ray disc to your external drive in about one minute.

The MSI multimedia C series will include a 15.6 inch CR650, CR640, and CX640. The CX640 and CR640 feature Intel Core processors while the CR650 uses AMD's latest dual core chip. SRS PC sound, 720p webcams, USB 3.0, LED displays and MSI's next-generation power saving technology (Turbo Battery+) are all in tow.

For the mobile users looking for the best in light portables there's the U and X series. There's a 10-inch MSI Wind U160 DX netbook, a 12-inch Wind U270 and a 13-inch X-Slim X370. Both the Wind U270 and X-Slim X370 use AMD dual core processors. The Wind U270's 12-inch display is 16:9 aspect ration and the device weighs just 1.3 kilos and measures less than in inch in thickness. The 13-inch X-Slim X370 weighs 1.4 kilos and features MSI's exclusive crystal diamond seal technology and stylish color film print coating.

Wrapping up the MSI Laptop/tablet onslaught of CES 2011 is the MSI WindPad. The WindPad will be offered in two varieties, the 100A and 100W tablet. The WindPad 100A runs Google Android, features a ten inch multi-touch display, ARM processor, GPS, ALS light sensor and WiFi. The 100A weighs 800 grams and is less than 14mm thick. For global users there's an option to purchase 3G. The WindPad 100W runs Windows 7 Home Premium edition. It also features a ten inch display with multi-touch technology, but uses an Intel mobile processor and 32GB solid state drive.

MSI is coming strong and hard at the laptop/tablet space at CES 2011. These five laptop series should really challenge the competition and the addition of the WindPad is very exciting. Of all the series announced today, which has you the most interested? We'll be live at CES 2011 to test these gadgets hands on, so go ahead fire away your questions — we'll do our best to answer them in a couple of weeks.

Coming Soon | MSI | TBD

Windows Phone 7 Marketplace dethrones Palm’s App Catalog

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 05:00 PM PST

In less than two months the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace has managed to accumulate more than 5,000 applications. An achievement that tops the number of available apps in Palm's App Catalog. It took Palm nearly 18 months to reach this point and at the current pace, the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace could surpass the BlackBerry App World in the next six months.

Doubts cast over the future of Windows Phone 7 have been largely silenced following an official statement from Microsoft confirming more than one and a half million units had shipped worldwide. Knowing that it took the original iPhone 74 days to reach the one million unit milestone, Windows Phone 7 users are sitting on a new level of confidence lost in translation during the Windows Mobile era.

With more than 5,000 apps in just under two months, the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace has the competition in its sights. For the moment, Android and iOS have little to fear from Windows Phone 7, but the same cannot be said for RIM's App World. With just over 16,000 apps, the current pace of Windows Phone 7 apps should eclipse that milestone in less than six month.

Granted, the launch of an application store generally means a large influx of apps followed by a settling period, but we'd expect that period to extend for at least the first six to eight months. You've seen the data, the graph above clearly shows the growth of applications in the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace.

Let us know what you think. Will Microsoft be able to maintain the current pace and reach 16,000 apps within the next six months?

via WPCentral

Samsung Wave landing Bada 1.2 update early 2011

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

If you are one of the millions of Samsung Wave users out there currently residing in Europe, we have a treat for you this morning. Samsung's Bada Twitter account has confirmed that the Bada 1.2 firmware update will be available early next year in Europe for SIM-free users first.

Support for Samsung Wave users in the rest of the world will come later in Q1 2011 with different update dates depending on the country and operator. For now, unlocked Samsung Waves in Europe will get first dibs, how's that for a holiday surprise?

Any unlocked Samsung Wave owners out there excited for Bada 1.2?

via SamsungHub

LG LZ7900: world’s largest full LED 3D TV

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 03:00 PM PST

CES 2011 will be full of firsts. LG will be on hand to unveil the world's largest full LED 3D TV, the LG LZ7900. Measuring an astonishing 72 inches diagonally, the LZ7900 will deliver an impressive viewing experience, whether you want to watch 2D or 3D programming. Anyone interested in a copy of Avatar 3D Blu-ray now?

Not your typical edge-lit LED TV, the LG LZ7900 packs a full panel of LEDs, delivering "pictures as colorful as painting in an art gallery". LG is banking on the idea that the LZ7900 will deliver the most vivid and detailed images to date.

Beyond the full LED panel, the LZ9700 features TruMotion 400Hz technology which delivers a super-fast processing rate, which in theory should provide the most smooth 3D images we've seen. At the core of the TV is LG's Smart TV functions. Using the Home Dashboard, you can access premium content form global providers as well as the best locally sourced shows and movies.

Similar to the Internet-connected Samsung TVs, the LG LZ9700 Smart TV functions also offer their own growing collection of TV apps. Combined with LG's easy-to-use Motion Remote Control, the LZ9700 could be the standout LED TV at CES 2011.

Other noteworthy features include a micro pixel control (local dimming,), DLNA support, Media Link and USB. An official release date is scheduled to be announced at CES 2011, but for now LG has confirmed an early 2011 release date. There will be additional announcements for specific market availability in a later announcement.

So anyone else ready to enter the world of full LED 3D TVs with the LG LZ9700? I think this could finally be the set that makes me want to retire my HD projector.

Coming Q1 2011 | LG | TBD

Apple prepping three versions of iPad 2?

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 02:00 PM PST

The iPad 2 rumors are heating up as we head into the New Year. CES 2011 is just a little over a week away and Apple's January announcement will shortly follow. Sweeping the headlines this morning is news that Apple will release not one, but three iPad 2s next year — a WiFi, UMTS and CDMA version.

According to DigiTimes, the Taiwanese industry insider, Apple will release the three versions of the iPad in a 3:4:3 build ratio, favoring the UMTS variant ever-so-slightly. Interestingly, the website believes that production of the iPad 2 will begin in the first half of January, with about a half-million iPad 2s to be assembled.

Currently between 60 and 65 percent of the current iPad sales are the UMTS 3G model, so the Cupertino-based company will be working closely with new GSM partners. Also on the agenda for the iPad 2 is the anti-smudge and anti-reflective treatments. The success of products like the Kindle has caused Apple to improve their screen technology, specifically in direct-light environments.

Now for the numbers: Apple will reportedly produce roughly 40 million iPad 2s in 2011, representing nearly three quarters of the tablet space. Previously, DigiTimes had reported the iPad 2 would be produced at a rate of 6 million per month — significantly lower than their new estimate.

For comparison, the current iPad will have shipped approximately 16 million units by the end of the year. A remaining two to three million units will be available for retail outlets as the company begins to phase out the existing model in favor of the iPad 2.

As far as the screen itself, DigiTimes is sticking to their original claim that the iPad 2 will not feature an active-matrix organic LED display. Based on constrained supplies and the difficulties associated with mass producing an OLED display, Apple will reportedly stick with the backlit LCD display with IPS technology for the iPad 2. The improvements to anti-smudging and anti-reflective treatments will be incorporated with that display.

So now you've heard the latest and greatest from Apple's iPad 2 rumor mill. Now it's time to sound off. Let us know what you think about the move to three models of the iPad, should Apple stick with an LCD backlit screen for the iPad 2?

Coming Soon | Apple | TBD

Your new iPad: five things you never knew

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 07:01 AM PST

Your new iPad is a little slab of wonder and there’s plenty of features you won’t even realise are there until you’ve been playing with it for a while. We’ve been digging through the iPad features for a good few months now and here’s our five…

Kill iPad audio when it threaten to interrupt an important moment
Holding down the volume key instantly mutes the audio on the iPad which comes in handy when a web site or app decides to pipe up in the middle of an important meeting or the quiet carriage.

Some iPhone accessories will work with your iPad
Apple doesn;t like to shout about which iPhone accessories play ball with iPhone but search around and you’ll find some will. For instance the component video dock for iPhone will work just fine with iPad video out.

Stop someone from going on an iPad-enabled iTunes spending spree
You can password-protect apps like iTunes to stop someone else from messing with them when your iPad is unlocked. Go to Settings, then General, then Restrictions. Press Enable Restrictions and type a password, then turn on the restrictions you want for the apps available. Note that this password is different from your iTunes password – you'll need to tap in both.

Stick six apps in your iPad dock
Four apps sit in the iPad dock by default but you can have up to six apps in there if you want. Press and hold any icon on the home screen until the icons start wobbling like Mexican jumping beans then drag the two extra apps you want down into the dock.

iPad WiFi confusion
The iPad is bothered by dual-channel routers (ones that supports both 802.11a and 802.11n) if the networks use the same name. Change the SSID on each to avoid your iPad struggling to connect.

Ultimate gadget hacks 2010

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 01:00 AM PST

2010 has been the year of Kinect hacks, and other devices have barely had a look in. While some were hacking the iPhone to install Flash, Kinect hacks ran the gamut from Minecraft and Super Mario gaming to a web browser and light saber. Click through for our pick of this year's gadget hacks and mods.

1. Flash on iPhone 4
The iPhone 4 jailbreak popped up on our news feed more than we care to remember here at Electricpig towers. The problem was, once the jailbreak was out there in the world, there wasn't much to do. Until we found Frash, which runs Flash on the iPhone 4. This is the two fingered salute to Steve Jobs (until he informs you you can't get a replacement because you've invalidated your warranty). Repeat after me: jailbreak, install Cydia, run Frash.

2. Minority Report style web browsing with Kinect
Depth JS is an open source web browser extension that allows any web page to interact with the Microsoft Kinect via Javascript. This means that you can browse the web with Kinect. Anything that brings the reality of Minority Report style interfaces closer is a winner in our book.

3. Kinect Super Mario Bros
We called this nerd nirvana then, and we'll call it nerd nirvana again. If 2011 can pull it out of the bag with a Kinect hack better than this Super Mario Bros Kinect hack we'll eat our hats, and dungarees, and fake taches.

4. Apple TV: Airplay hack
This hardcore Apple TV hack lets you throw audio and video from third party apps on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad to your brand new Apple TV. The downside to this one is that it's not for part timers: you'll need to jailbreak your iOS device, then add a bit of coding magic to make it work.

5. iPad guitar mod
If you can stop staring at what this ridiculous dude has got attached to his forehead in lieu of a fringe, then you'll learn that this is what's going to "take gadget music to the next level". If you're ready to crank your "gadget music" up a notch (as we all are, obviously), then you can get your hands on a Mantaray kit for your iPad for $100 (about £64) from Noisebug.net. Props to the guy for monetising this.

Made for Life

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

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